Chinese Protest Plans for Industrial Plants

Environmental Fears Are Fueling Opposition Against New Projects That Officials Say Are Needed for Economic Growth

By

Brian Spegele

May 5, 2013 6:06 a.m. ET

BEIJING—Tension is bubbling in two western Chinese cities as opposition grows against planned industrial facilities, the latest examples of growing public environmental concern threatening to derail projects that officials say are needed for economic growth.

In the southwest city of Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, at least several hundred people flooded downtown streets on Saturday, demonstrating against an oil refinery and...